Oshkosh displays IED deterrent vehicle

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Military vehicle company Oshkosh said it will put its latest unmanned ground vehicle meant to defeat improvised explosive devices on display to the public.

Oshkosh Defense, which has headquarters in Wisconsin, said it was rolling out its TerraMax unmanned ground vehicle during a trade show this week in Washington.

John Beck, the chief engineer in charge of unmanned systems, said the technology has demonstrated "a high level of maturity" to a military working to defeat the threat from improvised explosive devices.

The U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said last month IEDs were responsible for 443 deaths in Afghanistan during the first six months of the year.

Oskhosh says its system is designed to reduce troop exposure to IEDs on the battlefield.

"Integrating TerraMax UGV kits with counter-IED payloads onto platforms like the Oshkosh M-ATV [mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle] can provide a safe and effective way for combat engineers to perform route-clearance operations," Beck said in a statement Monday.

Oshkosh said the system can run missions in a supervised autonomous mode.

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